How To: Switch to Clean Power
(1) Look at Your Current Electricity Bill
Determine your monthly electrical generation rate by looking for it on your PECO bill (a). This will serve as the baseline for comparison when you shop for other electricity provider options.
Also, record your account number (b). You will need this information to sign
up for new service.
(1) Look at Your Current Electricity Bill
Determine your monthly electrical generation rate by looking for it on your PECO bill (a). This will serve as the baseline for comparison when you shop for other electricity provider options.
Also, record your account number (b). You will need this information to sign
up for new service.
(2) Research and Compare
Once you have determined your rate, you can begin shopping for electricity. Most electricity produced by PECO energy is generated by the burning of non-renewable coal and natural gas. Electricity production accounts for over one-third of our nation’s global warming emissions [1].
Three of the top providers of wind and solar energy in southeastern Pennsylvania are Community Energy, The Energy Cooperative, and Green Mountain Energy. Each of these companies provides several different renewable energy plans, with a options for fixed or variable monthly or quarterly rates, all to help you find the plan that works best for your household.
Learn more about these top energy providers
Below is a brief description of each of these three companies, as well as some resources for further research.
Community Energy (http://www.communityenergyinc.com/):
Community Energy is based in Radnor, right here in Delaware County. As a local business, Community Energy contributes to the economy of Delaware County, keeping both its jobs and its energy sources in the area. Community Energy main plan, 100% PA Wind and Solar, provides your home with 99% wind and 1% solar energy, harvested from their seven in-state wind farms and their state-of-the-art Keystone Solar site in Lancaster PA. Membership is free and a variable rate of 13¢/kWh if offered, as of late July, 2014. Call or check the company’s website for current pricing.
The Energy Cooperative (https://theenergy.coop):
The Energy Cooperative is a non-profit, independent, member-owned collective based in Philadelphia, with a yearly membership fee of $15. As a member, your ideas and opinions can have a greater impact on the Cooperative’s future projects and directions.
The Cooperative has two main plans: EcoChoice100 and EcoChoice25. EcoChoice 100 costs 11.89¢/kWh and provides 100% clean energy (99% wind, 1% solar). EcoChoice 25 costs 11.59¢/kWh and provides 25% clean energy (24.75% wind, .25% solar). Each plan comes with the option of either a fixed or variable rate, depending on what works best for your household. Again, prices are as of July, 2014.
Green Mountain Energy (www.greenmountainenergy.com)
Green Mountain Energy is headquartered in Austin Texas, with many offices throughout the country, including one in Philadelphia. Green Mountain main plan is its Pollution Free 100% Wind plan, which ranges from 8.95¢ to 12.9¢/kWh, depending on whether you prefer month-to-month, 6-month, or 12-month rates. As an added bonus, Green Mountain donates to the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society’s “Plant One Million” program, which seeks to plant new trees in 13 counties across the Mid-Atlantic region, for every signup it receives.
Now that you have an overview of each of the three top providers, compare your current monthly electric rates with what each company offers. Although most clean energy rates may be more expensive than you are paying for traditional power, the difference may be less than you think. For example, if your current rate is 10¢/kWh, and your renewable option is 12¢/kWh, and you use the national average of 750 kWh of electricity a month, you will pay only $15.00 more each month.
As you compare energy companies, notice how the energy is generated. Some plans only provide a portion of energy from clean sources, others 100%. Investing in clean energy now is one of the most impactful things you as a homeowner can do to stem the effects of climate change.
(3) Make the Switch
Now that you have found a provider and plan that works best for you, go to your choice’s “Sign Up” page, linked below:
• Community Energy
• The Energy Co-Op
• Green Mountain Energy
Once you select your plan, fill out the registration form. You can also contact your choice of provider over the phone.
You will need your PECO account number and your credit card on hand. After selecting a new plan, the company you choose will coordinate billing with PECO. And in about 1-2 billing cycles, you will see the change on your bill (PECO should send you a notice before it changes your service provider).
Your electricity service will not be affected at all; PECO will still only send you one bill a month, with your new electricity provider’s monthly generation fee replacing PECO’s. While your generation costs may go up, your electrical transmission, distribution, and service will not be changed. PECO will still provide assistance and help in the case of an outage or problem, as they will continue to be your distribution utility.
Once you have determined your rate, you can begin shopping for electricity. Most electricity produced by PECO energy is generated by the burning of non-renewable coal and natural gas. Electricity production accounts for over one-third of our nation’s global warming emissions [1].
Three of the top providers of wind and solar energy in southeastern Pennsylvania are Community Energy, The Energy Cooperative, and Green Mountain Energy. Each of these companies provides several different renewable energy plans, with a options for fixed or variable monthly or quarterly rates, all to help you find the plan that works best for your household.
Learn more about these top energy providers
Below is a brief description of each of these three companies, as well as some resources for further research.
Community Energy (http://www.communityenergyinc.com/):
Community Energy is based in Radnor, right here in Delaware County. As a local business, Community Energy contributes to the economy of Delaware County, keeping both its jobs and its energy sources in the area. Community Energy main plan, 100% PA Wind and Solar, provides your home with 99% wind and 1% solar energy, harvested from their seven in-state wind farms and their state-of-the-art Keystone Solar site in Lancaster PA. Membership is free and a variable rate of 13¢/kWh if offered, as of late July, 2014. Call or check the company’s website for current pricing.
The Energy Cooperative (https://theenergy.coop):
The Energy Cooperative is a non-profit, independent, member-owned collective based in Philadelphia, with a yearly membership fee of $15. As a member, your ideas and opinions can have a greater impact on the Cooperative’s future projects and directions.
The Cooperative has two main plans: EcoChoice100 and EcoChoice25. EcoChoice 100 costs 11.89¢/kWh and provides 100% clean energy (99% wind, 1% solar). EcoChoice 25 costs 11.59¢/kWh and provides 25% clean energy (24.75% wind, .25% solar). Each plan comes with the option of either a fixed or variable rate, depending on what works best for your household. Again, prices are as of July, 2014.
Green Mountain Energy (www.greenmountainenergy.com)
Green Mountain Energy is headquartered in Austin Texas, with many offices throughout the country, including one in Philadelphia. Green Mountain main plan is its Pollution Free 100% Wind plan, which ranges from 8.95¢ to 12.9¢/kWh, depending on whether you prefer month-to-month, 6-month, or 12-month rates. As an added bonus, Green Mountain donates to the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society’s “Plant One Million” program, which seeks to plant new trees in 13 counties across the Mid-Atlantic region, for every signup it receives.
Now that you have an overview of each of the three top providers, compare your current monthly electric rates with what each company offers. Although most clean energy rates may be more expensive than you are paying for traditional power, the difference may be less than you think. For example, if your current rate is 10¢/kWh, and your renewable option is 12¢/kWh, and you use the national average of 750 kWh of electricity a month, you will pay only $15.00 more each month.
As you compare energy companies, notice how the energy is generated. Some plans only provide a portion of energy from clean sources, others 100%. Investing in clean energy now is one of the most impactful things you as a homeowner can do to stem the effects of climate change.
(3) Make the Switch
Now that you have found a provider and plan that works best for you, go to your choice’s “Sign Up” page, linked below:
• Community Energy
• The Energy Co-Op
• Green Mountain Energy
Once you select your plan, fill out the registration form. You can also contact your choice of provider over the phone.
You will need your PECO account number and your credit card on hand. After selecting a new plan, the company you choose will coordinate billing with PECO. And in about 1-2 billing cycles, you will see the change on your bill (PECO should send you a notice before it changes your service provider).
Your electricity service will not be affected at all; PECO will still only send you one bill a month, with your new electricity provider’s monthly generation fee replacing PECO’s. While your generation costs may go up, your electrical transmission, distribution, and service will not be changed. PECO will still provide assistance and help in the case of an outage or problem, as they will continue to be your distribution utility.